[ 5.14 ]

5.14

We celebrated the kick-off of the international tour of the Short Shorts Film Festival in style at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, California. Over 300 guests walked the red carpet, lined by television and print journalists from American and Japanese media, for the private screening and reception party on May 14, 2002. Over 200 turned out for the public screening the following night, one of the highest attendance records for a short film event at the theater.

In attendance were Short Shorts filmmakers from years past and present, including Leanna Creel ("Offside") and Ryuhei Kitamura ("the messenger"). Hollywood celebrities, including Colin Farrell ("Hart's War," "Minority Report") and Jeremy Northam ("Gosford Park" ), enjoyed the shorts and the party, as did feature directors Roger Donaldson ("Thirteen Days") and Michael Apted ("Enough," The World Is Not Enough"), as well as a number of other Hollywood insiders.

The screenings and party were produced with the support of the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian, The Japan Foundation Los Angeles Office, and the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles. The Asian-fusion food was catered by Chaya Brasserie in Beverly Hills, the Skyy Vodka and Sterling Vineyards wines were delightful, the DJ was hot, and a grand time was had by all.

Hundreds partied into the night in the courtyard of Hollywood's historic Egyptian Theatre..

Festival Director Tetsuya Bessho, Programming Director Marliese Schneider, and Co-Founder Douglas Williams pose by the red carpet

A handsome line-up waits to check guests in.

The deejay kept party-goers in good spirits.

The theatre was packed full.